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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Evan Shelby to Richard Caswell
Shelby, Evan, 1719-1794
March 21, 1787
Volume 20, Pages 646-647

GENERAL EVAN SHELBY TO GOV. CASWELL.
(From Executive Letter Book.)


Sullivan County, March 21st, 1787.

Dear Sir:

Your Letter and the Packets which you were pleased to forward by your son I have received and the Commissions to the several Counties belonging have forwarded, except those to the county of Greene yet in my hands not well knowing who to direct them to, proclamations have been dispersed accordingly. I have had a Conference with Mr. John Sevier, Governor of the Franklin people; the enclosed is a copy of what was there concluded between him and I. It is Submitted to the Legislature.

The people of Franklin have lately held an Assembly for their State and have passed a Bill for Opening an office for to receive Entries for the Lands included between the French Broad & Tennessee Rivers; also they have laid a Land and Poll Tax on the people. Conformable to the Commission for the Peace Sent up, Court of Pleas, &c., have been held in the Counties of Washington, Sullivan and Hawkins, without any Opposition. Many people are firmly attached to North Carolina, Others are as Obstinate against it; however, it is to be hoped that time and reflection will restore them friendly to North Carolina.

The Animosity arising from difference of opinions in Government among our people here have Run high; to quiet the minds of the People and Preserve the Peace and tranquility till something better could be done, was the reason that induced me to hold a Conference and Conclude on the Articles enclosed. I would be much rejoiced if as you mentioned you would think in earnest to come and live

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among us. You might do much here. I have been well till lately, by some means I got a Cold which has given me some uneasiness but hope shortly to be well. You will please to write to me by any Opportunity of Anything Necessary that may occur.

Believe me to be, with most sincere regard,
Your most Obedt. Servt.,
EVAN SHELBY.

P. S. We are in great want of the several Copies of the Acts of Assembly of the State of North Carolina and the Laws enacted by the same for the time Past; we had several in the different Counties but the late disturbance Among the people have caused them to be so laid aside that they cannot be come at, you will therefore please to direct some method by which they may be once more Dispersed over this part of the State. Some Considerable Time Past I returned to the Office Warrants, with the plotts annexed for lands therein mentioned, that the Patents might Pursuant thereto be Issued, but as yet I have received none. You would do me much kindness if you would please to examine why these Patents are not issued According to the returns, and inform me thereof by the next opportunity, or else direct the issuing of the same.